Order of the Phoenix
Τάγμα του Φοίνικος
Grand Cross and Star of the Order of the Phoenix, III. type
Awarded by the President of the Hellenic Republic
TypeOrder
Established13 May 1926
Country Greece
MottoΕκ της τέφρας μου αναγεννώμαι
Awarded forexcellence in the public sphere or raising Greece's international standing
StatusCurrently constituted
GradesGrand Cross
Grand Commander
Commander
Golden Cross
Silver Cross
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of George I
(Kingdom, 1935 till 1973)
Order of Honour
(Republic, since 1975)
Next (lower)Order of Beneficence

Ribbon bar of the Silver Cross of the Order of the Phoenix

The Order of the Phoenix (Greek: Τάγμα του Φοίνικος) is an order of Greece, established on 13 May 1926, by the republican government of the Second Hellenic Republic to replace the defunct Royal Order of George I.

The order was retained after the restoration of the monarchy in 1935 and continues to be awarded by the current Third Republic.

The honour is bestowed by the Greek government to Greek citizens who have excelled in the arts and literature, science, public administration, shipping, commerce, and industry. It is also awarded to foreigners who have helped raise Greece's international prestige.

Grades

The Order has five classes:

  • Grand Cross ('Μεγαλόσταυρος') - wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander ('Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order on the right chest;
  • Commander ('Ταξιάρχης') - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
  • Officer or Gold Cross ('Χρυσούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Member or Silver Cross ('Αργυρούς Σταυρός') - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

Insignia

The badge of the Order is a white-enameled cross, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes, with the Phoenix (symbolizing the rebirth of the Hellenic nation) at the centre. A five-pointed star is at the upper arm of the cross. The first version of the Order (1926–1935) featured the letters "E-T-T-A" in Byzantine uncial on each arm of the cross, the initials of the motto Εκ της τέφρας μου αναγεννώμαι ("From my ashes I am reborn"). During the Monarchy (1935–1974) the letters were removed and the badge was topped by a crown, while the badge's reverse side featured the monogram of the reigning monarch. The current version (since 1975) omits the crown, while the reverse features the Greek National Emblem with the words ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ("Hellenic Republic").

The star of the Order is a silver eight-pointed star with straight rays, with the phoenix at the centre; during the Monarchy it was topped by a crown.

The ribbon of the Order is orange with black edges.

Crossed swords on the insignia indicate that the award was given in the military division of the Order.

Holders

Holder Date Grade
Gjergj Fishta 1931 -
Sir Julien Cahn[1] 1931 Grand Commander
Henry Vollam Morton 1937 Commander
Nicholas Hammond[2] 1946 Officer (with swords)
Thomas Dunbabin[3] 1946 (with swords)
Beatrice Ashley Chanler[4] 1946 -
Sir Arthur Coningham[5] 1946 Grand Cross
Canon J.A. Douglas[6] 1949 -
Constantine II of Greece 1950 Grand Cross
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1950 Grand Cross
Sir Robert James Hudson [7] 1950 Grand Commander
Sir Allan Ross Welsh[7] 1950 Grand Commander
Mark Mindler - -
Gavin Merrick Long 1956 Officer
Wan Waithayakon 1956 Grand Cross
Dr. Joze Brilej Grand Cross
Carl Foreman[8] 1962 -
Elizabeth II of United Kingdom 1963 Grand Cross
Harald V of Norway 1964 Grand Cross
Odysseas Elytis 1965 Commander
John S. Latsis 1965 Grand Cross
Arne Skaug unknown Commander
Stavros Niarchos 1977 Commander
Max van der Stoel 1977 Grand Cross
Mounir Abou Fadel 1984 Grand Commander
Manolis Andronikos 1992 Grand Cross
Dimitrios Κοntoumas 1993 Grand Commander
Marianne McDonald 1994 Commander
Vasso Apostolopoulos 1997 Commander
Manuel Aroney 1998 Commander
Eleni Bakopanos 1999 Commander
Karl Buckthought 1999 Commander
John Cannis 1999 Commander
Peter Delefes 1999 Commander
Philippe Deane Gigantes 1999 Commander
Jim Karygiannis 1999 Commander
Ken Pontikes 1999 Commander
Christos Sirros 1999 Commander
Angelos Delivorias 2000 Commander
Grigoris Bithikotsis 2003 Officer
Rena Vlahopoulou 2003 Officer
H.E. Dušan T. Bataković 2005 Grand Cross
Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor 2007 Commander
Thanasis Veggos 2008 Commander
Paul Sarbanes 2008 Grand Cross
H.E. Vahram Kazhoyan 2009 Grand Cross
Angelos Chaniotis 2013 Commander
Kevin Featherstone 2013 Commander
Malcolm H. Wiener 2014 Officer
Yehuda Poliker 2014 unknown
Stephen Fry[9] 2021 Grand Commander
Frangoulis Frangos unknown Grand Commander
Jacqueline de Romilly unknown Commander
Josef Pták unknown Officer

Thomas J. Miller 2023 Grand Cross

References

  1. The Manchester Guardian GIFT OF NEWSTEAD ABBEY, 17 July 1931
  2. The Manchester Guardian, NEW HEADMASTER OF CLIFTON, 9 June 1954
  3. The Manchester Guardian, Births, Deaths, Marriages, 9 June 1954
  4. Thomas, Lately. The Astor Orphans: A Pride of Lions, W. Morrow, 1971; p. 318.
  5. Flight Global
  6. The Manchester Guardian, OBITUARY Canon J.A. Douglas, 5 July 1956
  7. 1 2 Issue 4485 London Gazette, Tuesday 5 September 1950
  8. The Guardian Very special privilege: Tuesday night, 11 July 1962
  9. Stephen Fry. Order of the Phoenix greekcitytimes.com 21 April 2021
Greek orders timeline
Orders by precedence 1832–1909 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970–present
Order of the Redeemer . Rep.
Order of Honour Rep.
Order of Saints George and Constantine . . . Dynastic
Order of Saints Olga and Sophia . . . Dynastic
Order of George I . . . . Dynastic
Order of the Phoenix . Rep.
Order of Beneficence . Rep.
Years
Regime Monarchy Republic Mon. Rep. Monarchy Rep.
1832–1909 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970–present
  • Presidency of the Hellenic Republic – The Order of the Phoenix
  • The Greek Royal Orders
  • George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, ISBN 960-85054-0-2.
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